Scotland's government has published a long-awaited white paper detailing its vision for independence ahead of a referendum on the issue next year.

First minister and leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP), Alex Salmond, says the document is "the most detailed blueprint that any people have ever been offered anywhere in the world as a basis for becoming an independent country".

The party's white paper was launched in Glasgow ahead of a formal statement to the devolved Scottish parliament in the capital Edinburgh.

"We know we have the people, the skills and resources to make Scotland a more successful country," Mr Salmond said.

"Scotland's future in now in Scotland's hands."

The publication comes 10 months ahead of a referendum that will see Scots asked simply: "Should Scotland become an independent country?"

If the four million or so eligible voters agree, the SNP says Scotland would keep the Queen as its head of state, remain a member of the European Union and NATO, and enter into a currency union with the rest of the UK so it could keep the pound as its currency, and the Bank of England as its lender of last resort.

The white paper at a glance

Keep the pound in UK currency union

Remain in EU and NATO

Maintain Queen as head of state

Abolish welfare cuts, like the "bedroom tax"

Get rid of nuclear weapons

The No campaign, spearheaded by former UK chancellor Alistair Darling, accuses the SNP leader of presenting its wish list for independence as fact.

On the currency issue, Mr Salmond says there will be a union.

Mr Darling has said: "He ignores the fact there would have to be a negotiation, and in a negotiation you don't get everything you want."

In turn, Mr Salmond rejects the criticism as fear-mongering, saying Scotland has the right to keep its current currency if it wants to.

"The Bank of England and sterling are as much Scotland's assets as London's assets," the first minister said.

Nuclear submarines an 'article of faith'

The Better Together campaign also argues it is not a given the European Union would accept Scotland as an independent member.

If the EU did permit this, No campaigners also wonder if Scotland would be allowed to adopt the eurozone opt-out, which the UK has secured.

The idea that 27 European countries are going to roll over and give him whatever he wants - that's nonsense.

Former UK chancellor Alistair Darling

"The idea that 27 European countries are going to roll over and give him whatever he wants - that's nonsense," Mr Darling said.

The white paper also outlines what the SNP does not want: nuclear weapons.

The party says within a few years of independence, it will get rid of the UK's Trident nuclear submarines that Scotland currently houses.

The nuclear issue is an "article of faith" for many in the SNP, professor of politics at Strathclyde University John Curtice says.

He says many in the party "think they are weapons of mass destruction, think they are unethical", and believe the only way to get rid of them is by leaving the UK.

The difficulty for the Yes campaign, Professor Curtice says, is "the one area where you find the Scottish public aren't convinced that Scotland should be running its own affairs is defence and foreign affairs, but of course that's the quintessential definition of a sovereign state".

Scots urged to 'read Scotland's future'

A total of 20,000 copies of the white paper have been printed and it is also available in electronic form.

For those daunted by the full version, the SNP has produced a summary running to just over 40 pages.

"Our message to the people of Scotland is this: take the opportunity to read Scotland's future," deputy first minister Nicola Sturgeon said.

Who can vote in the referendum?

Scots living in Scotland

400,000 English people living in Scotland

EU and Commonwealth citizens living in Scotland

Those aged 16 and over

Scots living outside Scotland can't vote

The party needs people to hear and read its message if it is to have any chance of winning the referendum.

Opinion polls consistently suggest only around one-third of voters back independence, with about one-half against the idea.

The number of undecided voters could potentially swing it, and the UK's secretary for Scotland, Alistair Carmichael, says he is "taking absolutely nothing for granted".

Mr Carmichael says ultimately he thinks the people of Scotland have "the best of both worlds" as part of the UK, but with their own parliament.